What is Halobetasol?
Halobetasol is a corticosteroid used for the treatment of psoriasis. It is a corticosteroid category I under the U.S. classification, the most potent class of such medicines. Halobetasol propionate is typically supplied as 0.05 percent of topical cream. Halobetasol is the best available topical steroid.
-Halobetasol is a prescribed medication. It is available as a topical cream, a topical ointment or a topical lotion.
-Halobetasol is available as a generic medication. Branded medications typically cost less than that. In some cases, they may not be available in any form or strength as a brand name version.
-Halobetasol can be used as part of a combination therapy. This means that you will need to take it with other drugs.
Uses of Halobetasol
- This drug is used to treat a number of skin disorders (such as eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, rash). Halobetasol helps in decreasing the swelling, itching, and redness that can arise in these types of conditions. This drug is a very potent (super-high potency) corticosteroid.
- Halobetasol is used to control inflammation and itching due to some skin conditions. They can include eczema, poison ivy, insect bites, rashes, asthma, dermatitis, and psoriasis
- This medication is available as a topical cream, ointment, or lotion that you apply to your skin.
- Brand name of this drug is Ultravate. Available as a generic drug.
- The most common side effects of this medication include burning, stinging, scratching, dryness, and redness at the site of your skin.
- If you have a skin infection, it can make it more difficult for your skin to heal. A medication can also be recommended by your doctor to treat this infection along with halobetasol.
Halobetasol Propionate Cream
How to use Halobetasol Propionate
Read the information given on prescription and package, if available from your pharmacist, before starting to use halobetasol. If you have any queries please consult your doctor.
Using this medicine just on your skin. However, do not use it on your ears, groin, or underarms unless instructed by your doctor.
Apply a thin film of the medicine to the infected area and gently rub in as instructed by your doctor, usually one to two times a day. Do not cover, bandage, or wrap the area unless instructed by your doctor. Do not use tight-fitting diapers or plastic pants when used in the infant's diaper field.
Use this medication as per prescription and requirement
Side effects
Know that your doctor has recommended this drug because he or she has felt that the advantage to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people who use this drug may not feel any significant side effects. It depends from person to person.
Some side effects may be serious. If you have any of these symptoms, stop using this medication and call your doctor immediately:
- Serious skin reactions
- Skin burning sensation
- Skin issues
- Rash or itchiness
- Difficulty in breathing
- Weight loss
- Weight gain
- Dizziness
- Tiredness
- Rash
- Itching
- Swollen ankles
- Vision
- Thirst
- Urine issues
- Headache
- Swelling in throat, lips, tongue
- Stretch marks
- Skin thinning
- Skin discoloration
- Acne
- Hair growth
- Hair bumps
- Dryness
- Depression
- Loss of appetite
- Muscle weakness
- Redness
- Anxiety
Precautions
- Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to halobetasol; or to other corticosteroids (e.g. hydrocortisone, prednisone); or if you have any other allergies before using halobetasol. This product can contain inactive ingredients that may cause allergic reactions or other problems.
- Tell your doctor or pharmacist about your medical history before taking this drug, in particular low blood circulation, problems with the immune system, certain skin conditions.
- Do not use it if there is an infection or a pain present in the area to be treated.
- Use of corticosteroid medications since a long period of time or over large areas of the skin can make it more difficult for your body to respond to physical stress. Therefore before any surgery or any emergency situation, or if you have a serious illness or accident, inform your doctor or dentist that you have used or used this drug in the last few months.
- Although it is impossible, this medicine can temporarily delay the child's growth if it is used for a long time. Please see your doctor regularly so that your child's height can be reviewed.
- This drug should not be used during pregnancy. Ask all your concerns with your doctor regarding the risks and benefits.
- It is not known if this medication, when applied to the skin, passes into breast milk. Other drugs in this type, when ingested by mouth, transfer into breast milk. Consult the doctor before breast-feeding.
Halobetasol Warnings
People with skin infection
Tell your doctor immediately whether you have a skin infection or develop a new bacterial or fungal skin infection. Your doctor may prescribe a medicine to treat your infection. If the infection does not go away, your doctor will make you temporarily stop using Halobetasol before the infection is healed
Women pregnant
Halobetasol is a C-category pregnancy drug. It means two things:
- Testing has shown adverse effects on the fetus when the mother takes the drug.
- There has not been enough research performed in humans to decide how the drug could affect the fetus.
Speak to the doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. This medication can only be used if the possible advantage justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
For the senior citizens
Halobetasol clinical trials have shown no difference in safety or efficacy between seniors and younger people. However the elderly may be more susceptible to the effects of this drug.
For the kids
It has not been verified that this medication is safe and effective for use in children younger than 12 years of age.
Children can absorb more halobetasol than adults. This means that they are at greater risk of severe side effects. If children have been taking this medication for a long time, their growth and development may be delayed. Your child's development should be monitored by your doctor if they need to take this medication in the long term.
Interactions
- Drugs can change the way your drugs work
- Can lead to some serious side effects
- Keep a record of all the medications you are using, the prescribed and non prescribed drugs as well as herbal products) and check them with your doctor and pharmacist.
- Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any drug without your doctor's permission
- Consult a doctor before taking it.
Overdose
If overdosed, this drug can be harmful. When someone has overdosed and has extreme signs such as passing out or respiratory problems can occur
Notes Notes
Do not share with anyone this drug
Only for the present illness has this drug been recommended. If the doctor advises you to not use it for another infection later on.
Missed Dose
If you are using this product on a daily basis and skip a dose, use it as soon as you recall it.
If it is near the next dose, skip the skipped dose. Using the next dose on a daily basis. Do Not double the dose to recover the missed dose.
Storage
Store this at room temperature and keep away from moisture, heat and light. Don't freeze it. Don't store it in the toilet. Keep all drugs away from pets and children.
Do not flush the drug down the toilet or dump it into the sink unless told to do so. Disposal of this product is very important when it has expired or is no longer required. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more information about how to safely dispose of your product.
Halobetasol vs Salicylic Acid
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Uses | This drug is used to treat a number of skin disorders (such as eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, rash). | Used to treat mild and moderate acne. |
| How frequently it should be used | Used according to prescription and requiremen | Cannot be used regularly |
| How does it works | Reduces swelling, rednes | Removes acne scars |
| Where to use | For external use | On skin , avoid using on sensitive area |
Important information
Hormonal imbalance- Halobetasol can be absorbed through your skin into your bloodstream. This can influence how hormones are formed by your body.
If you unexpectedly stop taking this medication, your body will not be able to make enough cortisol. It's considered an adrenal insufficiency. In extreme cases, this may cause side effects such as hypotension (very low blood pressure), nausea, vomiting, dizziness, muscle weakness, irritability, depression, lack of appetite, and weight loss.
If you have been taking this medication for a long time, it can increase the hormone cortisol and cause Cushing Syndrome. Symptoms include weight gain, fat deposits in your body especially around the upper back and stomach area), and slow healing of cuts or infections. They also include anxiety, irritability, depression, roundness of the face (moon face) and high blood pressure.
External usage only
Don't bring this medication next to your eyes or your lips. You should not use it on your face, groin, or underarms unless your doctor orders you to use it in these places. Wash your hands after applying this medicine or using this medicine.
